CarVerify

Free Car Check

VLJ 989S

1978 Triumph Dolomite

White Petrol 1296cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires18 Apr 2019
Tests19 (11 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate57.9%

Mileage

79,210 mi
Last recorded79,210 miles
Recorded on16 Apr 2018
Typical for 1978 Triumph Dolomite56,231 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Triumph
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationVLJ 989S
MakeTriumph
ModelDolomite
Year1978
ColourWhite
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,296cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

11 pass 8 fail
Pass 16 Apr 2018 79,210 miles

Rear inner arches/boot floor corroded.

Fail 10 Apr 2018 79,210 miles

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Rear inner arches/boot floor corroded.

Pass 19 Apr 2017 79,210 miles

Floor starting to corrode.

Parking brake efficiency only just met.

Slight play in nearside front inner steering rack joint.

Pass 1 Apr 2016 79,210 miles
Pass 9 Apr 2015 79,209 miles

Brake pipe across rear axle corroded.

Fuel hose slightly perished.

Nearside rear boot floor starting to corrode.

Pass 16 Apr 2014 79,149 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.1.2c)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Fail 2 Apr 2014 79,149 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Inner rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Lower Steering column universal joint insecure (2.1.5)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Direction indicator flashing less than 60 times a minute (1.4.A.2g)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.1.2c)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 16 Jan 2013 76,844 miles

Brake servo corroded but not excessively weakened (3.6.A.2b)

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

silght play detected at steering wheel

Fail 4 Jan 2013 76,843 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1c)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Steering column top mounting bracket insecure (2.1.2d)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

rear brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (3.6.G.1b) DANGEROUS

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement (3.3.A.5) DANGEROUS

Temporary fuel cap fitted

Pass 14 Dec 2011 72,669 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside and offside rear tyres perished and cracking.

Nearside front tyre perished and cracking, recommend replace.

Fail 7 Dec 2011 72,647 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Lower Steering column flexible coupling insecure (2.1.5)

Lower Steering column flexible coupling locking device missing (2.1.6)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Obligatory mirror missing (8.1.1)

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside and offside rear tyres perished and cracking.

Nearside front tyre perished and cracking, recommend replace.

Pass 2 Aug 2010 71,658 miles

Corrosion found outside of prescribed areas

Steering column lower bush worn causing movement at steering wheel

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

Fail 2 Aug 2010 71,658 miles

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Steering column top mounting bracket insecure (2.1.2d)

Corrosion found outside of prescribed areas

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

Pass 8 Jun 2009 70,953 miles

Corrosion found at offside inner sill and both rear inner wheelarches - outside of prescribed area

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

Fail 4 Jun 2009 70,953 miles

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Corrosion found at offside inner sill and both rear inner wheelarches - outside of prescribed area

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

Pass 17 Jun 2008 70,082 miles

corrosion starting at both lower sill edges

Fail 13 Jun 2008 70,082 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Nearside Front Brake hose stretched (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

corrosion starting at both lower sill edges

Pass 9 May 2007 69,876 miles
Fail 8 May 2007 69,876 miles

An item not tested (Manual)

Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute (1.4.A.2g)

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

How Reliable is the Triumph Dolomite?

Based on 17,210 MOT tests across 2,188 vehicles.

72.4%
Pass Rate
575
Miles/Year
54
Year Lifespan
2,188
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 855
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 681
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 669
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 625
brake binding 589
Full Triumph Dolomite reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

VLJ 989S is a 1978 Triumph Dolomite in White with a 1,296cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 19 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.9%.

Across all 1978 Triumph Dolomite models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.7% with a typical mileage of 56,231 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Triumph Dolomite fails its MOT is suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 855 recorded failures. If you're considering buying VLJ 989S, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Triumph Dolomite typically stays on UK roads for around 54 years. At 48 years old, this Triumph Dolomite is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of VLJ 989S?

You can check the full history of VLJ 989S by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was VLJ 989S registered?

VLJ 989S is a 1978 Triumph Dolomite, first registered on 6 February 1978.

Is VLJ 989S safe to buy?

The MOT history for VLJ 989S shows 19 tests with a 57.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does VLJ 989S have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on VLJ 989S. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.